Nature

Musical

Example

Nature

Secret

Score

Nature

Animated

Score

While the pentatonic scale is very helpful in establishing our mood, we are not obligated to use it exclusively. In bar 2, the bassoon plays a counter line. Though most of its notes are from the same F pentatonic scale used by the flute and clarinet, it also uses the note Bb. Although this note is found in the F major scale, it is not found in the F pentatonic scale:

The earthy quality of the bassoon also helps us to depict nature.   

Note that the clarinet (in bars 1 and 2) and the bassoon (in bar 3) hold the note G for several beats, on top of the partial F major chord played by the violins:

Because the note G is not part of an F major chord, it creates a slightly unresolved, yet calm mood. This nice touch adds a richer element to the music.

Finally, we should mention the harp, triangle and bell tree. While the triangle and bell tree add a light metallic sparkle to the music, the delicate plucking of the harp reinforces our natural setting.